Peter Whittingham Jazz Award

This year marks the 28^th anniversary of the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award.

An expert in survival medicine, Peter Whittingham was also a pianist who enjoyed the music of Gershwin, Porter, Sondheim, Bernstein, Shearing and Peterson. After his death in 1987 his family set up this award in his memory and their connection with the award continues.

WHO CAN APPLY

The award is open to emerging jazz musicians and groups with the musicianship, creativity, and ambition and commitment to develop a sustainable career in jazz. We are looking for artists who are at a tipping point in their career and who can demonstrate that their proposed project will help them reach the next stage of their career.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life, particularly those who are currently underrepresented in jazz such as women, people with disabilities, and individuals from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.

To apply you must:

• Be based primarily in the UK
• Be eligible to work in the UK
• Have been resident in the UK for at least 3 consecutive years
• Be in financial need and without significant backing
• Be over the age of 18
• Be an emerging jazz musician or group approaching a career tipping point

If applying as a group:

• All group members must be based primarily in the UK and be eligible to work here
• At least 50% of the group must meet the other criteria above
• The group must have been established and playing together regularly for at least 1 year

The group should be made up of no more than 8 members

Previous Peter Whittingham Jazz Award winners and previous Help Musicians UK Development Award winners are not eligible to apply.

We may request evidence of eligibility at any stage.

We are looking for the most exciting emerging jazz artists who have musicianship, creativity, and ambition and commitment to develop a sustainable career in jazz.

The award can fund the following activities:

• Recording
• Filming
• Touring
• Performances
• Mentoring
• Collaboration
• Promotion

Applications that incorporate a range of activities are strongly encouraged. You must detail why your proposed project will be beneficial for your professional development at this point in time. All activities must be completed by December 2019.

HOW TO APPLY

First, read the application guidelines which set out in detail what we're looking for.

Apply for round one by completing an online application form. You will be asked to provide a biography outlining your musical development, recent activities within the jazz scene and career achievements to date, along with details of the creative project for which you are applying for funding (including information about the costs associated with these activities and the proposed timeline). 

You will be required to provide two recent and representative recordings of your music. At least one must be an original composition. Please provide web-links (e.g. Soundcloud/Spotify/You Tube).

You will also need to provide a supporting reference from a recognised figure within the jazz scene. This could be your college Head of Course, an established professional musician not connected with your project or an industry representative such as a festival programmer.

All materials including your reference must be received by the closing date otherwise your application will be ineligible.

Once the deadline for applications has passed, applicants will be shortlisted for audition based on the strength of their applications along with their supporting reference. You will be informed whether you have been shortlisted for audition by Wednesday 24 October. 

Auditions will be held at Premises Studios, Hackney, London, on Friday 2 November. Please note that the audition date is fixed and alternative arrangements cannot be made.